Where to start
Star Trek: The Next Generation
5 versions · originally a series, 1987
Themes: Exploration, Diplomacy, Moral Dilemmas, Encountering the Unknown, Technological Advancement.
These stories explore the enduring optimism of humanity's expansion into the cosmos through the eyes of diverse Starfleet crews.
✦ Most fans start here
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
The original tv
✦ Start hereStar Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1987
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) serves as the definitive starting point, establishing the iconic USS Enterprise NCC-1701D crew and the philosophical tone that defines the entire franchise's optimistic exploration.
1993 series
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman · Series · 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) shifts the focus from exploration to stationary geopolitics, offering a complex, character-driven look at the challenges of maintaining peace near a strategic wormhole outpost.
1995 series
Star Trek: Voyager
Jeri Taylor · Series · 1995
Star Trek: Voyager (1995) presents a high-stakes survival narrative, forcing an isolated Starfleet crew to adapt and innovate while attempting a seventy-five-year journey home from the far side of the galaxy.
2020 series
Star Trek: Picard
Alex Kurtzman · Series · 2020
Star Trek: Picard (2020) provides a reflective, mature exploration of Jean-Luc Picard’s legacy decades later, specifically catering to viewers interested in the long-term personal consequences of his previous interstellar service.
2020 series
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Mike McMahan · Series · 2020
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) offers a comedic, irreverent perspective on the Starfleet experience, focusing on the daily lives and social struggles of the support crew aboard a minor, non-hero ship.
Common questions
What order should I watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and the other series?
You should watch Star Trek: The Next Generation first, followed by Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. These series share a production timeline. You can then move on to modern entries like Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Lower Decks to continue exploring the franchise.
Is Star Trek: Picard a direct sequel to Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Yes, Star Trek: Picard functions as a follow-up to the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It focuses on the later life of Jean-Luc Picard, providing a narrative continuation that builds directly upon the character arcs and history established in the original 1987 television series.
How long is Star Trek: The Next Generation compared to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?
Star Trek: The Next Generation ran for seven seasons starting in 1987. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine also ran for seven seasons, beginning in 1993. Both shows maintain a similar episodic structure and length, providing a comparable time commitment for viewers who enjoy the classic era of the franchise.
Should I watch Star Trek: Lower Decks if I enjoyed the tone of Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated series that serves as a comedic homage to the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation. While the tone differs, it contains numerous references and thematic callbacks to the 1987 series, making it a suitable choice for fans of that specific time period.